The Honorary Title was a rock band from Brooklyn, New Yo… Read Full Bio ↴(2003-2009)
The Honorary Title was a rock band from Brooklyn, New York composed of Jarrod Gorbel, Aaron Kamstra, Jon Wiley, and Adam Boyd. Gorbel became known for his dark sense of humor, which often worked its way into the band's songs.
Their first release was a self-titled EP. They received much attention and did major touring after they released a full length album on Doghouse Records in 2004 entitled, "Anything Else But the Truth". The album was recorded in Nashville and New York with producer Roger Moutenot who has also worked with Yo La Tengo and Guster. Videos are available for the singles "Everything I Once Had", "Bridge and Tunnel", & "Frame by Frame".
On October 24, 2009 Jarrod announced that The Honorary Title would play their final show on Friday, November 20, 2009. Gorbel released a solo EP called Ten Years Older on his 2010 acoustic tour with Dustin Dobernig. In an interview with weworemasks.com, Gorbel says, "It’s considered a solo session, but…The Honorary Title might be over." He also said he is working on a solo LP. He continues to record and play music, but under his name.
Even If
The Honorary Title Lyrics
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No, not in the least
What's so self-righteous
About this curiosity
This want for a meager exchange
So much time has passed but still it remains
This need for you
Is a reoccurring theme in my life
Don't you think I'm lonely
Eager to complete this story
Confused and still haunted
With why
You'd start over
And ignore me
It takes time to realize
The other side of you
That's controlling
Blind in hindsight
Of our lives
Even if you left me and my brother
Even if you left us and our mother
Want nothing more than to catch your eye
Would you be impressed with how far I've climbed
Without your assistance
With you nowhere in sight
Don't you think I'm lonely
Eager to complete this story
Confused and still haunted
With why
You'd start over
And ignore us
It takes time to realize
The other side of you
That's controlling
Blind in hindsight
Of our lives
Even if you left me and my brother
Even if you left us and our mother
She's had her share
More than we'll know
My brother won't
He just won't let go
They say you're sick and there's a name and a phrase
To apply and help explain
Still having trouble trying to separate
How you started a new family
Even after you left me and my brother
Even after you left us and our mother
The song "Even If" by The Honorary Title is an emotional ballad about a person's desire for the attention and acknowledgement of a parental figure who has abandoned them. The lyrics delve deep into the feelings of the singer who wants to reconnect with their father or mother even after years of being apart. The first verse is a reflection on the singer's own desire to reconnect with their parent and how it's not selfish at all. The singer is questioning why anyone would view it as an act of self-righteousness while expressing their sadness that their need for emotional connection with their parent is a reoccurring theme in their life.
The second verse shifts focus on the singer's father or mother and their actions of leaving. The singer expresses sadness and confusion about the reasons behind the decision to abandon their family and start over. The lyrical line "It takes time to realize the other side of you" points towards the fact that the singer is finding it hard to reconcile the memories of the loving parent they had with the person who left them behind.
The bridge of the song is where the lyrics pack the most emotional punch. The singer asks their parent if they would be impressed by their accomplishments even though they achieved them without any assistance from their parent. The fact that the singer seeks validation from their parent even after everything is a poignant moment. The last verse is a more detailed exploration of the effects the parent's departure has had on the family. The singer acknowledges that their mother has had to bear the brunt of the parent leaving, and their brother is still holding onto the hope of reconciliation. The song ends with the singer expressing their emotions and acknowledging the fact that even if their parent reenters their lives, it doesn't negate the pain and hurt they caused.
Line by Line Meaning
Doesn't seem that selfish
Questioning if it's wrong to want a small exchange of communication.
No, not in the least
Acknowledging that it's not selfish.
What's so self-righteous
Asking why it's considered arrogant.
About this curiosity
Regarding the desire to connect despite the past.
This want for a meager exchange
Desiring only a small interaction.
So much time has passed but still it remains
Despite the time that's gone, the need to connect persists.
This need for you
Desiring to connect with a person from the past.
Is a reoccurring theme in my life
This desire is a recurring occurrence.
Don't you think I'm lonely
Wondering if the person's desire to connect is fueled by loneliness.
Eager to complete this story
Desiring to find closure on this past relationship.
Confused and still haunted
Feeling perplexed and still impacted by the past.
With why
Questioning the reasons behind the person's actions.
You'd start over
Starting a new life after leaving the singer and their family behind.
And ignore me
Choosing to not acknowledge the singer's existence or desire to connect.
It takes time to realize
Acknowledging that it takes time and reflection to reach understanding.
The other side of you
Discovering personality traits or actions of the person that were not previously known.
That's controlling
Realizing that the person may be overly controlling.
Blind in hindsight
Not noticing or acknowledging negative aspects of the past until after it's over.
Of our lives
Describing how the person's actions affected the singer and their family's lives.
Want nothing more than to catch your eye
Desiring to get the person's attention.
Would you be impressed with how far I've climbed
Questioning if the person would be impressed by the artist's accomplishments.
Without your assistance
Acknowledging that the person was not a part of the artist's success.
With you nowhere in sight
Describing how the singer achieved success without the person in their life.
She's had her share
Referring to the struggles that the artist's mother has had to endure.
More than we'll know
Acknowledging that the singer and their brother may never fully understand their mother's pain.
My brother won't
Indicating that the brother is not willing to let go of the past.
They say you're sick and there's a name and a phrase
Referring to a diagnosis or disorder that the person is believed to have.
To apply and help explain
Describing how the diagnosis helps explain the person's past actions.
Still having trouble trying to separate
Struggling to understand the person's actions and how they affect the artist's life.
How you started a new family
Referring to the person starting a new family after leaving the singer and their family behind.
Even after you left me and my brother
Acknowledging that the person chose to leave and start over, despite the impact on the singer and their brother.
Even after you left us and our mother
Describing how the person's actions affected the artist, their brother, and their mother.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JARROD GORBEL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind